NEW ZEALAND INTEREST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21932, 19 April 1933, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND INTEREST

MR LIDDLE’S VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND. (From Ouk Own Correspondent.) LONDON, February 28. Mr T, Liddle, M.8.E., J.P., gave a lantern lecture on New Zealand at Hartlepool under the auspices of the Education Committee of the local Cooperative Society, Limited. In the past ten years, said the lecturer, the imports of butter into Great Britain had more than doubled, and it was no wonder that the prices had fallen to the lowest level for nearly 40 years. The wonder was that this vast quantity of butter could be absorbed into tiie trade and consumed in the present economic state of the country. The C.W.S. had taken 15 per cent, of the total imports of dairy produce from New Zealand. Thus, having regard to the importance of maintaining regular supplies, the C.W.S. had, since 1919, periodically sent out deputations at intervals of two years for the purpose of inspecting and strengthening their organisation in that country, and in 1929 he (the speaker) at that time chairman of the New Zealand Produce Association, was appointed, along with four other colleagues, to visit Australia and New Zealand, in order to endeavour to increase the supplies from the associated farmers, and they had the privilege of visiting many farms and seeing the various processes of making butter and cheese, and it was there that he (the speaker) first saw milking done by machinery. ' DAIRY PRODUCE—“ CUTS ” IN , IMPORTS. The Gloucestershire Echo (Cheltenham) announces that important benefits will probably accrue to Gloucestershire cheesomakers soon as a result of their deputation last week to the Minister of Agriculture. “It is not unlikely that the Dominions will consent to reduce their shipments of cheese to this country by 10 per cent, during the current year to lift the Gloucestershire cheese-making industry out of its present plight.” It is possible that the voluntary reduction in shipments may also be extended to butter from the dominions. Imports from these sources have increased enormously in the Jast two years. A 10 per cent, reduction in New Zealand and Australian supplies would represent 400,000 cwt per annum, valued at £2,000,000, This quantity is equal to 66 per cent, of the total home production, and the “ cut ” would he of considerable value to Gloucestershire farmers.

NEW ZEALAND AND NORTHAMPTON. The Northampton representative of the Trade and Engineering Supplement of The Times writes: “ Boot manufacturers in general view with apprehension the proposal of the New Zealand Government to impose a sales tax of 5 per cent, on the wholesale prices of boots and shoes. New Zealand is one of Northampton’s best markets oversea, and business, which has been growing, has shown signs of further expansion. New Zealand already has a tariff of 25 per cent, on British footwear, as against 50 per cent, on that imported from other countries, but it is feared that the suggested new tax may have a retarding influence on trade.” MOTOR CYCLES. Coventry reports more movement in the motor cycle branch of the industry, and on the overseas side it may be taken as a good sign that the trade with Australia, which used to be one of the best markets, is reviving. Motor cycles are also being sent to New Zealand, where very little was done last year. Among the Continental countries Italy is showing a preference for British motor cycles. The pedal cycle industry is healthy. THE SHEEP-KILLING KEA. New Zealand’s parrot, the kea, provides subject matter for newspaper paragraphs in England from time to time. The information offered to editors is not always accurate, and it is well to find the correct story of the sheep killers told by Mr D. Seth-Smith in an article in the Field this week. The writer, while sympathising with the fanner and the Government in their efforts to protect the flocks, remarks: "But surely destruction should be tempered with discretion. The bird should not be sought out and slaughtered for the sake of reward in districts where it does no harm.” Quoting a New Zealander who had been among the keas in the mountains, the writer concludes; “My friend took a keen interest in his visitors, but he told me of the practice of the so-called ‘ sportsman ’ who penetrates to those heights with his gun and murdci’s these confiding birds wholesale. Returning to town with his pockets full of keas’ beaks as proof of his prowess, he receives his reward from a grateful Government! What will posterity say to this scandalous extermination of a unique species? ’’ GREETINGS FROM VV ALTON-ON-THAMES. Letters of greeting from Walton Rotarians (says the Surrey Herald) are now on, their way across the seas to the members of 22 .Rotary clubs in New Zealand. The letters, which were despatched by the International Committee of the Walton Rotary Club, contain reference to the particular war-time association that Walton had with New Zealand, and an offer on the part of the Walton Rotarians to meet any desire which the New Zealand Rotarians may wish fulfilled towards perpetuating the memory of those of New Zealand’s sons and daughters who found their last resting place at Walton. *